One thing the Gallup survey reveals is that six out of every 10 people polled believe transgender individuals should compete in sports based on their born gender. Mary Beth Waddell, director of federal affairs for the Family Research Council (FRC), tells One News Now every age group supported that, including 59% of younger Americans.
"They are the ones who are primarily affected," she explains. "They're the ones who are the athletes themselves or who have friends who are athletes, and [they] understand ... in this context the importance of biology and science and why it matters and that biological boys have an advantage."
But the survey also show that two-thirds (66%) of those polled support transgender individuals serving in the military. Waddell attributes that to a general lack of understanding on how important readiness and unity cohesion are to the military.
"Actual problems … are created whenever you do allow those who identify as transgender, those with gender dysphoria to serve in the military in accordance with their gender identity," she asserts.
The FRC spokeswoman suggests Americans are not as familiar with military needs as they are with whether males who claim to be female should participate in sports based on their gender identity or their born gender.
